The Managing Director of Telephone Industries of Pakistan (TIP) informed the committee that the society had 500 houses out of which around 150 had been occupied by the illegal occupants.

The MD said that illegal occupants are not paying utilities bills. On the issue, the chairman directed the management of the TIP to disconnect the electricity and gas connections till payment of the bills.

Muhammad Safdar also directed the TIP to approach the courts for legal assistance to vacate the houses. The chairman also directed the ministry to solve the TIP issue by August 30 and submit a report to committee accordingly.

The State Minister for Information, Technology and Telecommunication Anusha Rehman said that the core business of the TIP as industry is manufacturing of telecom related equipment.

However, she said for the last ten years, TIP has not been able to perform its core business and is facing severe financial crisis and is dependent on government grants only to the extent of payment of salaries of staff.

As far as schools, colleges and hospital are concerned, the minister said the land on which these buildings are situated is not owned by the TIP or MoIT and PTCL and NRTC are the legal owners.

She said TIP and MoST are making their best efforts to convince NRTC an PTCL to take over the schools, colleges and hospital situated on their respective land including staff so that their jobs could continue.